Health Effects of Fossil Fuel–Derived Endocrine Disruptors

This review article explores the growing health risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that originate from fossil fuel production and petrochemicals. These EDCs found in plastics, pesticides, cosmetics, and other consumer products interfere with hormonal function and have been linked to cancer, infertility, neurodevelopmental harm, and metabolic disorders. The article details how exposures disproportionately affect communities of color and low income populations due to environmental injustice. Despite mounting evidence of harm, regulatory gaps and lack of safety testing persist. The author calls on clinicians to advocate for environmental health reforms and educate patients on exposure reduction.

This review article explores the growing health risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that originate from fossil fuel production and petrochemicals. These EDCs found in plastics, pesticides, cosmetics, and other consumer products interfere with hormonal function and have been linked to cancer, infertility, neurodevelopmental harm, and metabolic disorders. The article details how exposures disproportionately affect communities of color and low income populations due to environmental injustice. Despite mounting evidence of harm, regulatory gaps and lack of safety testing persist. The author calls on clinicians to advocate for environmental health reforms and educate patients on exposure reduction.